Starting mechanism for internal-combustion engines.



, H. B. ANDERSON. STARTING MEGHANISM FOMNTERNAL GOMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. l1, 1911.

Patented Apr. 8, 191.3.

,m w@ .m u V a n 5 f H. B. ANDERSON.

STARTING MEGHANISM POR INTERNAL GOMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION ITLED NOV.11, 1911.

Patented Apr 8, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

"IEN

HAROLD .'B. ANDERSON, OF LAKEWOOD, OHIO.

STARTING MECHANISM FOR 'INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Speceation of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 8,1913.

Application Med November 11, 1911. Serial No. 659,807.

To all trimm 4z'z? may concern Be it known that. I, HAROLD B. ANDERSON, a citizen of the Unitedl States, residing at- Lakewood, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Starting Mechanism for Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to starting mecha'- nism. for internal combustion' engines, the mechanism being of the type wherein a combustible Huid, preferably a fixed gas (such as acetylene)l is supplied to the cylinder of such an engine to be` ignited -by the usual spark plug, thus dispensing with the necessity7 for cranking the engine.

The invention shown herein Vis similar in general characteristics to that set forth rin my application No. 657,839 filed October 31st, 1911, and is likewise an improvement upon that disclosed in the application tiled by myself and Alexander Vinton on Aue gust 15th, 1906, Ser.l No. 330,714.

Itis a general objectof the invention herein set forth to provide a construction of valve mechanism which will be particularly efficient; which will, when the mechanism is out of operation, eii'ectually prevent the leakage of gas from the tank or other source of supply; and which will insure'the sup ply of a mixture of gas and ai'r in such proportions as will secure proper ignition y within the engine cylinder.

further object of the invention is Ato I provide mechanism of this kind-which will be simple in construction, withoutany sacritice of etiiciency in operation.

Still further and more generally speaking the invention may be defined as consisting of the combinations of elements set forth in the claims hereto annexed and illustrated in the drawings forming part hereof wherein:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a starting mechanism, showing the same applied to the dash of an automobile; Fig. 2 a sectional view of the same corresponding substantially to ti: line 2 lower end of the rame-operating lever be- 2 of Fig. 1, theing shown in elevation; Fig. 3 a front elevat-ion of the mechanism shown in the pre-v ceding iigure; Fig. 4 4an elevation, similar rious parts illustrated herein, 1 denotes a gas supply pipe, which is preferably con'- nected with the usual acetylene tank provided on automobiles. This gas supply pipe forms partof a conduit extending to the engine, said conduit including the pipeQ and a` valve mechanism inserted in the conduit, which mechanism will now be described.

, As illustrated in the first three figures of the drawing, the casing for the val ve'mechanism maybe made conveniently from two castings 3 and 4. The casting 3 is of general' T form, the head 5 of the T being provided with a borev G extending from one end thereof to and merging with a larger bore 7. In the last mentioned bore there is threaded a valve stem 8 having a needle valve point 9 coperating witha valve seat 10 between the bores 6 and 7. The head 5 is connected in any suitable manner with the' pipe 1, as by means of a gland nut 11 threaded onto one end of the T head and forcing the tapered end 12 of the pipe 1 against a correspondingly ,tapered seat at the end of this head. The valve stem 8 provjects through the end of the head opposite the pipe, the stem and this end of the head being packed by means of a gland-nut 13 and suitable packing material l14. The branch which extends at right angles from the T 'head 5 comprises a neck 15 and an enlarged bell-shaped body 16. Within the neck 15' is a chamber -17 which communi- 'cates with the bore 7 by means' of a passageway f Qemmunication betweenthe bore or chamber 7 and the chamber 17 is controlled by means of a needle valve 19 cooperating with a seat formed between vth 100,- t

chamber 17 and the passage 18 and having la stern 2O threaded into the body 16 and extending outside of the same. The bell 16 is provided with a passageway 21 extending from the outer end thereof to the chamber 17 at the central portion and is also provided withk a discharge' passageway 22 leading from the central portion 17 to -a threaded connection 23. tatably mounted upon the outer end of the bell 16 and is provided with a port 25 adapted to register with the passageway 21 for the purpose of supplying air to the gas admitted to the chamber 17.

26 denotes a. lever which is mounted upon the valve stein 2 0, said lever being provided intermediate of its ends with an aperture .for the reception of the stem and being adjustably secured to the valve stem by means of a screw 27 extending through the body of the lever and threaded into a short arm 28 extending from said aperture, there being a slot extending from said aperture between said arm and lever. By slacking up the screw, the position of the lever on the stem may be varied and by tightening up on the screw, the lever may be clamped tightly to the stem. An operating connection between the lever 26 and the rotary plate 24 is provided by means of a projection or pin 29 carried by a lug 30 on the lever arm and received in a notch in the plate and extending between a pair of lugs 30 on the lever arm. A spring 31 surrounding the valve stem 20v and bearing against the plate 24 and the lever 26 holds the plate to a lrm seat against the end of the bell casing 16. A spring 32 connected at one end to the arm 33 of the lever 26 and'ac itscther end--to an a rm. 34projecting from the bell 16 normally holds the valve' 19 seated.

35 denotes a valve casing threaded into the connection 23. This casing comprises a chamber 36, the front end-(or end adjacent to the bell) of which is larger than the op- 'posite end, the chamber being contracted at such rear or opposite ends by means of a connection 37 which is threaded thereinto. The chamber 36 is provided at its opposite end with valve seats 38 and 39, said seats being annular Aand 'being provided respectively with ports 40 and 41, the former port communicating with the passageway 22 and the latter with the pipe 2 leading to the engine cylinder (not shown). Within the chamber 36 is 'mounted a double reciprocating valve of the type shown in my application herinbefore referred to and comprising generally afvalve stem 42 having on the opposite ends thereof thel valves 43 and 44 respectively, which valves coperate respec- "tlvely, with the seats 38 and 39, each valve being provided' with passageways 45 and 46 provided outside ofthe body thereof for the tlow of gaseous fuel therearound. The purpose of this automatic valve is to protect the valve 9 and seat 10 from the suction of the engine when such suction is greater than the tension of the spring 47 which normally holds the valve 43 against the seat 38. When' the pressure falls to the desired extent (just before theengine stops) the engine can draw in a sufclent mixture of gas and air to insure ignition on the next starting, the valve 19 being opened at this time by. meansof a. push rod 48 having a button 50 on one end thereof extending' through the dash 49-and being connected at its other end with the lever 26.

For the purpose of cutting out the ignipost being carried by an arm 52 projecting l from ,the arm 34. When -the 'rod 48 is pushed outwardly tojopenthe valve 19, the

lever 26 contacts withrth'e end of thehinding post 51, andthe ignition circuit will be grounded. through the binding post and the lever 26.

By the construction just described, it'will be appa-rent that the valves which control the supply of gas and air to the mixing chamber are simultaneously and proportionally operated and that the proportions of the mixture are directly and immediately affected by the operation of the push rod. Furthermore, the employment of a valve` of the type shown at 19 and 20 with a spring 32 to seat the same positively prevents the loss of any gas due to leakage. Should the valve 19 or its seat become worn the lever 26-may be so adjusted with referenceto `the valve as to compensate for' this wear and insure at all times a leak-proof connection be-` tween the chamber 7 and the mixing ch amber 22. Y t

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6, there is illustrateda modification of my invention whichis similar to that just described,differingtherefrom mainly in the omission of the air-controlling means and in a few other details to which reference will be made. '."Infthis view the elements from 1v to 2Q'inclusive are substantially identical `'in construction and function with the like-numbered' elements inV the preceding modification and need no detailed`description. The chamb er"17cr`rmunica'tes by a passageway 22aV With'aconnection 23a," similar to the connection 23 showninligs. 1 and 2.` To lthis` '"`eoiinettion there is fitted the valve Chamber'35jforthe automatic valve the parts of which, being .in construction and function, 'identical with those describedy in connection with'Figs. 1, 2 and 3, are given similar reference numerals. As in the Vpreceding modification, the pipe 2 leading to the engine cylinder extends from the connection 37. The necessary air for thel a base 54k by means of which it is supported' from the dash 49. The valve 19 is operated by a push rod projecting through the dash and connected at its frontend withan L-shaped lever' 56l` 57. The arm 56 is split and is provided with an aperturefor the reception of the valve sten 20, the slot between the split ends of tne arm 56 merging with said aperture and said split ends being drawn together by means of a screw 58 to clamp the leverof the valve stem. The arm 57 projects downwardly and rearwardly from the valve stem and is connected by means of a spring 59 to a bracket 60 secured to the dash. rl`his4 spring normally holds the valve-19 seated in the same manner as the spring 32 operated to hold onits seat the valve shown in the preceding modification. For the purpose of cutting out the ignition current to the spark plugs at the time when the gaseousV fuel is supplied to the engine cylinder, I employ a construction similar to that shown in the preceding embodiment of my invention. A binding post 61 is carried by an arm 62 in such position that the lever arm 56 will engage the end of said binding post when the rod 55is pushed forward to open the valve 19. The engagement ot the lever- 56 with thc binding. post will shortcircuit or ground the ignition current.

In Fig. 7 there is shown a modification of the invention wherein the operation of the cut-ofi' valve which controls the How of gaseous fuel to the engine cylinder will simultaneously affect the ilo-w of air to mix with the fuel passing said valve. In this view,

the parts 1 to 1S inclusive are substantially identical with the` correspondingly numbered parts in the two preceding modifications ot my. invention. The gas flowing past the valve 9 is controlled by a valve 19a similar to the valve 19 but having an enlarged threaded stein 20a 'which stem is of the same diameter as the chamber 17 and is provided with a transverse port- 20b adapted to register with the port 40 and with a port 63 in the wall of the casing opposite the port 40, the port 63 communicating with a connectipn 6ft. The valve body' or lstem 2Oa is also provided' with a port 20c communicating with the chamber 17 and the port 20h. By thisconstruction the gas passing the valve l 19a may enter the port 20" and there mingle with the air inthe latter port and the mix--A ture thus formed pass into the chamber 36 of the automatic valve, the parts of which (345-47) are given the same numerals as are usedin the preceding figures. In this view I have illustrated the automatic valve as being of heavier construction and have entirely omitted the spring 47 illustrated fin the remaining figures, relying upon gravity to hold the valve against the lowerseat.l

The valve stem 20a will he provided with an operating lever"65 which may be connected to av push rod, as shown in the preceding modifications of the invention, with the same arrangements for cutting out the ignition current.

In the modificationlast described, as well as in the first modification, opening the valve 19 (19a) will simultaneously admit air to be mixed with the gas passing said valve and proper proportions between the gasV and air may be maintained.

The operation of the device Ais as follows:

The engine may be killed either by break-A V ing the ignition circuit at the usual switch or by merely pressing the button 50 so as t-ov short circuit the ignition current as above described, the latter method being preter-A able froin the greater simplicity ofthe operation. At the 'sa-me time the movement Vo" the lever 56 65) opens the valve 19(191).

become seated against the seat 39 and pre-v venting the consequent waste of gas. As the engine vslows down the spring will vrelease the valve and permit-'a full charge of gas to be drawn into the cylinder, and after the engine has stopped the button `5() is released so as to permit the closing of the valve 191195) and the restoration of the ignition circuit to operative condition. The character of the gas supplied is such as to insure the charge against material deteriora tio-n even after long standing, while its eX- plosive strength is so great that it will serve to start the engine even though a considerable part should leak out owing to faulty compression.

The pipe 2 may be connected to the' cylin' ders in any convenient manner although I prefer to employ the expedient illustrated in my copending application tiled Oct. 31, 1911, Serial No. 657,840, in which the spark plug is shown as provided` with an annular chamber surrounding these sparking points, which chamber is in communication with this pipe, so that a supply of fresh explosive mixture can be assured at this point. It is Y -to be noted in this connection, that the purpose of the valve 42 is to save gas and that the starting mechanism is perfectly operative even though this valve be dispensed.

with, provided that.a check valve loe introduced into the pipe 2 so as to prevent the loss of compression therethrough. The loss of gas even in this case is not very great and ca-n be almost entirely avoided in case the `pressingof the button 50 be delayed until the engine has nearly stopped. Similarly the valve 42 may be modified by the omission of the head 4:4the head 45 then serving as a mere check valve in an obvious manner.

It is apparent, therefore, that many changes may be made in the construction illustrated without sacricing the advantages of my invention or departing from the spirit thereof and 'all such changesand modilications I claim and hold as my own so far as they are not disclosed in the prior art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In starting mechanism for an internal combustion engine, the combination of a conduit for supplyingstarting fluid to the cylinder of such an engine, a valve in said conduit for regulating the flow of fluid therethrough, a .mixing chamber adapted to receive gas from the first-mentioned valve, a valve'controlling the supply of fluid from the first mentioned valve to said chamber, a valve for controlling the supply of air to said chamber, and connections for moving the last two valves simultaneously.

2. In starting mechanism for an internal combustion engine, the combination of a conduit for supplying starting Huid to the cylinder of such an engine, a mixing chamber, a spring-seated valve controlling the flow of fluid from said conduit into said chamber, a'valve for controlling the flow of air into said chamber, and connections whereby said valves may be operated simultaneously to vary roportionally the air and gas flowing to sai chamber.

3. In starting mechanism for an internal combustion engine, t-he combination of a conduit for supplying starting fluid to the cylinder of such an engine, a mixing chamber, a spring seated valve normally cutting olf the llow of-luid to said chamber, a valve controlling the How of air to said chamber, connections whereby said' valves may be operated simultaneously, a push rod for operating said valves, and means operated by said push rod for cutting out the ignition the flow of air to said chamber, connections whereby said valves may be operated simiiltaneously, and means operative by the opening' of said valves for cutting out the ignition current to the engine.

5. `In starting mechanism for an internal combustion engine, the combina ion of la conduit'for supplying starting fluid to the cylinder of such an engine, a valve for regulating the supply of such fluid to the engine, a casing interposed between said valve and the engine, a seat in said casing, a valve threaded into said casing and having a tapered portion coperating with said seat, a spring normally holding said valve against said seat, and means for rotating said valve against the action of they spring.

6. In starting mechanism lfor an internal combustion engine, the combination of a conduit for supplying starting fluid to the cylinder of such an engine, a mixing chamber in said conduit, said chamber being formed with an air inlet port, a needle valve for controlling the admission ot' fluid to said chamber, a spring normally holding said valve against said seat, and means for rotating said valve against the action vof the spring.

7. In starting mechanism for an internal combustion engine, kthe combination of a conduit 'for supplying combustible Huid to the cylinder of such an engine, a valve for regulating the supply of such fluid to the valve and the engine, a seat in said casing,

a valve threaded into said casing and having a tapered portion cooperating with said seat, a spring normally holding the latter valve against said seat, means for rotating the latter valve against the action of said spring, means for supplying air to be mixed with the fluid, and connections whereby the movement of the 4second valve will control the flow of said air.

8.111 starting mechanism for an internal combustion engine, the combination of a conduit for supplying starting fluid to the cylinder ot' such an engme, means for gaging the flow of fluid through said conduit., a casing interposed between said means and the engine cylinder, said casing havingv a mixing chamber communicating with said conduit and with the engine cylinder, a valve seat surrounding the passageway between said chamber and conduit, a valve in said casing and having a portion coperating with said seat, means normally holding said valve against said seat, means for supplying air to said chamberto be mixed with the gas, and connections whereby the movement of the second valve will control the flow of such air.`

9. In starting mechanism for an' internal combustion engine, the combination of a conduit for supplying starting fluid to the -cylinder of such an engine, a valve in said conduit, a casing interposed between said valve and the engine, a seat in said casing, a valve threaded into said casing and having a tapered portion coperating with .said seat, a springnormally holding the latter valve against said seat, said casing being provided with a port for the admission of air, a plate rotatably mounted on said cas ing and having a port adapted to register with the casing port, a lever connected with the valve stem of the second valve, and a connection between said lever and said plate.

10. In starting mechanism for an internal combustion engine, the combination of a conduit for supplying starting ,fluid to the cylinder of such an engine, a valve in said conduit, a casing interposed between said valve and the engine, a seat in said casing,

a valve in .said casing and having a tapered portion cooperating with -said seat, a spring normally holding said valve against said seat, an air admission port communicating with the interio-r of said casing; and connections whereby theopening movement of the second valve will admit air through said port to mix with theuid Howing to the engine. V

11. In starting mechanism for an internal combustion engine, the combination of a conduit for supplying starting fluid to the cylinder of such an engine, a valve in said conduit, a casing interposed between said valve and the engine, a valve seat. a valve."

threaded into said casing and having a tapered portion cooperating with said seat to control the flow of gas to said casing, a lever adjustably connected to the stem of the second valve, a push roll connected to said lever, and a spring connected to said lever and vnormally holding the second valve to its seat.

12. In starting mechanism for an internal 'combustion engine, the combination of a conduit fon supplying starting fluid to the cylinder of such an engine, a valveV in said conduit, a casing interposed between said valve andthe engine, a valve seat, a valve threaded into said casing and having a tapered portion coperating with said seat to control the flow of gas to said casing, a lever adjustably connected to the stem of the second valve, and a spring connected to said lever and normally holding the second valve to its seat.

13. In starting mechanism for an internal combustion engine, the combination of a conduit for supplying starting fluid to the cylinder of'such an engine, a valve in said conduit, a valve casing arranged to receive the gas passing said valve, a valve in said casing for controlling the How of gas thereinto, a lever connected with said valve, a

Ato be mixed with the fluid a conduit for supplying starting fluid to the cylinder of such an engine, a valve in said conduit, a. valve casing arranged to receive t-he gas .passing said valve, a valve in said casing for controlling the How of gas thereinto, a lever connected with said valve, a

spring connected to said lever and normally holding said valve seated, and means cop-k erating with said lever for cutting out the ignition current when the lever is operated to open the valve.

l5. In starting mechanism for an internal combustion engine, the combination of a conduit for supplying starting fluid to the cylinder of such an engine, a valve in said conduit, a casing interposed between said valve and the engine, -a valve threaded into said casing and having a conical portion cooperating with the valve seat to control Vthe admission of gas from the first-mentioned valve into the chamber, a lever adjustably connected to the .stem of the second valve, a push rod connected to one arm of said lever, and a spring connected to the other arm ot' said lever and normally holding the second4 valve to its seat.

16. In starting mechanism for an internal combustion engine, the combination of a conduit for supplying starting fluid to the cylinder of such an engine, a valve for regulating the supply of-such fluid tol the engine, a casing interposed between said .valve-and the engine, a valve threaded intoA said casing and having a conical portion cooperating with the valve seat to control the admission 'of gas from the first-mentioned valve into the chamber, a two-armed lever adjustably connected to the stem of the second valve, a push rodconnected to one arm of said lever, a spring connected to the other arm of said lever and normally holding the second valve to its seat, and means coperating with said lever to cut out the ignition current to the engine by the movement of the push rod to open the second valve.

17. In starting mechanism for an internal combustion engine, the combination of a conduit for supplying starting fluid to the cyl- -inder of such van engine, a valve in said conduit, a second valve in said conduit and interposed between the first valve and the engine, and means controlled by the movement of the second valve for admitting air passing the rst valve. Y

18. n starting mechanism for an interna-1 combustion englne, the comblnatloxn wlh a wndut leading to the engine cylinder, u

Casing having mixing chamber communicating nth said cnndult, means im' admitilng conxbiistlbie uld to sind chmnbe, a

vulve for controlling the admission of Such A Huid to said chamber, ,means for admitting m11' to sind chamber to rmx Wlth sind fluid l0 While said valve is open, and means for ren- Lesew IWitnesses J. B, HULL, RAY M. CoLWE-LL.

Copies of 4this patent may be obtane for-fave canta each, by aressing the Gcmmissionei ai Femme, Wehingon, I?, il" 

